WDVA Program Specialist 3, Suicide Prevention Program Specialist, Full-Time, Spokane

Eastern Washington Suicide Prevention Program Specialist

Program Specialist 3

Are you passionate about suicide prevention in our Servicemember and Veteran community Do you pride yourself in championing actionable efforts toward suicide prevention WDVA is excited to announce we are now hiring a Full-TimeEastern Washington Suicide Prevention Program Specialist(Program Specialist 3) to build lasting and meaningful change for Americas heroes and their families!

Within the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs our Counseling and Wellness program focuses on transforming the lives of Veterans and their families through growth and resiliency-related experiences. As the Eastern WashingtonSuicide Prevention Program Specialist you will support the expansion and enhancement of suicide prevention within all our programs. This includes providing suicide awareness and regional prevention trainings collaborating with community organizations and resources and managing program data and outcomes.

Please note: The typical expected hours for this position are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. There is flexibility to manage schedule to complete work off-site. Occasional evening or weekend work is required. This position is expected to adjust the work schedule to meet the needs of the program. A flexible schedule or hybrid telework arrangement may be available based on business need subject to supervisory approval.

At the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) we are passionate about our mission of Serving Those Who Served. As a national leader in our advocacy for nearly 500000 Veterans and their family members we strive to connect them to earned benefits as well as innovative programs focused on their overall health and addition we provide critical community services through a variety of programs and at our four State Veterans Homes located in Orting Port Orchard Spokane and Walla Walla. These locations provide Medicare and Medicaid nursing home care to Veterans including in some instances their spouses widows or Gold Star Families.

• Provide a hand-off for Service Members Veterans and their Families (SMVF) to community services and resources in assigned region.
• Assist with developing suicide prevention-related training and implementation of these trainings within assigned region.
• Deliver regional suicide awareness and prevention training programs.
• Support the use of online SMVF resources database and web-based applications in the community.
• Support Suicide Prevention Program Manager and Lead Suicide Prevention Peer Specialist in the administration of policies procedures practices and existing and new program activities that involve and impact SMVF staff and community partners.
• Promote 988 Lifeline Emblem sales through the Department of Licensing.
• Coordinate with the Department of Licensing firearms dealers law enforcement and other related entities to publicize and collect voluntary donations to WDVA and/or the Suicide Prevention Community-Based Grant Fund.
• Build and maintain relationships with regional community resources and personnel serving SMVF promoting wellness and addressing crisis.
• Conduct outreach visits in the community.
• And more!

*Complete Position Description available upon request*

• Bachelors degree in a related field such as psychology social services social work social science healthcare or liberal arts/sciences from an accredited institution whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education (CHEA) or a foreign equivalent.

AND

• Two (2) years of experience providing services concerning varying suicide prevention training efforts and/or familiarity with ASSIST AMSR ZERO Suicide and other suicide prevention models.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite (Word Excel PowerPoint Outlook OneNote) data management systems and mobile application software (Teams Apple/Google Maps etc.).
• Must be proficient in the English language and be able to read write and speak English.

Preferred/Desired:

• Masters degree in a related field such as psychology social services social work social science healthcare or liberal arts/sciences from an accredited institution whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education CHEA or a foreign equivalent.
• Two (2) years of experience providing services to Veterans and their families in a human services environment related to mental health behavioral health traumatic brain injury and/or similar functional area.
• Experience working with population seeking mental health services or supportive social services.
• Demonstrated ability to engage stakeholders provide outreach education and case management and deliver successful presentations to a wide variety of audiences.
• Proficient and knowledgeable in all laws and ethical guidelines related to suicide prevention and mental health services.
• Two (2) years of experience in program development; coordination and experience in budget management and/or contracting; experience with records/database management.
• Served in the armed forces guard or reserves with combat experience.
• Three (3) years of experience working directly with Veterans and their family members or demonstrated competence with this population.
• Ability to work independently yet collaboratively while considering the needs and styles of others.

• Must be able to pass a DSHS BCCU Background Check prior to beginning services and every two (2) years in accordance with WDVA Policy 615.000 Background Checks. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicants suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• Must successfully complete within mandated timeframes employee orientation and all other mandatory annual in-service and other required training.
• Must become familiar and comply with all DVA policies and procedures and Collective Bargaining Agreements as applicable.
• Must sign the confidentiality statement for all employees.
• Must maintain regular and reliable attendance successfully complete employee orientation and other required training.
• In an emergency situation employees may be asked to stay for an extended period of time and perform duties appropriate to the situation.
• Must have a valid drivers license.
• Candidates who are offered a job with WDVA must possess work authorization which does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.